Your Dolphins Breakout Defensive Player For 2026

This past week, following the question post for your choice for the offensive breakout player of the upcoming season, I followed it up with the other side of the ball:

Who is your projected Miami Dolphins breakout candidate on defense for the upcoming season, and why?

Below are some of your thoughts and answers-

Finsane1 seems excited to see what the second-year corner might bring this coming season.

Before checking the Article, the Headline had me like, “Marshall, Marshall, Marshall” FinsUp!!!

Dolfanjoe believes that the young DT will break out this year.

Jordon Phillips will rise to fame, Came on so strong last year and will fill what they want, and that is to stop opposing teams running game. Add with what might be a great linebacking corp. and front line, teams may have to turn to the pass all game long. Great receivers and QBs give every team trouble ! But if that is all they can beat you with you can prepare.

phyrmun is ready to see what the Texas Tech linebacker brings to the table.

JRod Sideline to sideline..

JUK wonders why so many are excited about the late-round pick vs. the guy who has shown more thus far.

I find it interesting so many people pick Biggers rather than Grant. Grant is unquestionably a more physically talented player, and he was the better player last year too.

I think it’s down to expectations – because Biggers was a 7th round pick people get excited by the flashes and forgive the patchy consistency, but do the opposite for Grant as a first rounder.

None of this is to say I don’t like Biggers, and I’m intrigued to see what hafley does with him (will he be a big end in 4 man fronts?) but Grant is a much more likely breakout candidate

StanleyDoyle1 believes in both young DTs.

I think both Phillips and Biggers will take the leap.

Phoenix6 is another on the Phillips bandwagon.

Jordan Phillips 2.0 Is Setting Himself Up for More Success…

showing up consistently w ith outstanding work ethic & improved (phenomenal) physique… coupled w ith the energy & seriousness he takes at his position, is going to have h im making a major breakout this season.

PA phinphan believes it’s the third-year pass rusher that needs to step up this coming season.

Chop Robinson needs to be the Dolphins defensive breakout player. If he can consistently set the edge against the run and generate pressure on the QB, the defense could be very successful. They need him to be the tone setter.

Lefty5150 believes it might be Phillips, but is also excited to see what Louis has at this level.

It’s hard to disagree with Phillips here but let’s go out on a limb and say that Kyle Louis makes enough plays to make us all forget about that Van Winkle errr Ginkle fella.

sdphinsfan wants to see JuJu bounce back from injury in his second season with the team.

JuJu Brents. I have no questions about his talent. He’s a good, solid young CB. But he’s been dinged alot and missed alot of time. If he can play solid and show up on Sundays, he’ll be a key contributor.

ncchadphin4life just wants to see the whole defense play as a cohesive unit.

The whole defense needs to breakout and play as one. If that happens, no one individual accolade will matter. It’ll be a team win.

cyberflea believes the biggest need is an improved pass rush.

The interior defensive line should be fine. The area where a breakout player is needed is at edge where the Dolphins are weak which will also help the secondary. Chop must not only have a breakout season but a dominant one.

JUK has high hopes for Grant this season, given how he ended last season.

I think Phillips will be a very good run stuffing nose, but to be the breakout player I think he would need to develop his pass rush too and I’m not sure about that. Still a great outcome for a 5th round pick though.

Think the shortlist is a good one, and I’d add Brents if he can stay healthy (unfortunately that’s a very big if). But I’d go for Grant. As James says he finished his rookie campaign strong – he was top 10 for DTs in both pressures and TFLs over the last 5 games – so maintaining that level over a season will be a huge step

TheRoo1 says that Dante Trader Jr. needs to be the man, or things might get ugly.

The type of zone D that Haf likes requires a strong centerfielder.

If Trader doesnt shine, this season goes south fast.

MiamiItaliano believes Chop will step up this year.

It will be Chop. Hafley demands more of him, and Chop must respond.

Dave G sees a few of these guys along the lines stepping up and possibly making it a strength of the team.

I would add Zeek Biggers in the conversation. I can’t see him putting in all the hard work to get in great shape ( as they say he’s in ) over the off season and not drastically improving. I also would like to believe Jonah Savaiinaea’s position change will considerably help him as well to break out into what we all expected initially.

If all this works out, I can see us being a top 10 team in the trenches

Well, those are our comments for this evening. There are a slew of guys that we would like to or need to see step up. If you missed our original post from last week, please feel free to add your thoughts to the comments section below. As always, thank you to everyone who participated in our Phinsider Question Of The Day.